MAYOR’S REPORT: Monday, October 7, 2019

Wed. September 18, 2019 CRD Planning and Protective Services Committee The Planning and Protective Services Committee recommended the CRD Board not support the proposed dispatch centre feasibility study and discontinue fire dispatch unification efforts at this time. Fire representatives were asked by staff if there was support from their areas to move forward with the efforts towards a unified fire dispatch system in the CRD. Of the 13 services present, 11 indicated they do not support moving forward. The reasons given for this include:  They do not support spending $50K on a feasibility study;  Currently happy with the dispatch service they receive;  Wish to maintain autonomy to look for the right dispatch fit for their service needs and would like to explore collaboration and efficiencies themselves;  Competitive cost control through access to multiple dispatch options is important to ensure best service for the money;  Each fire agency has different service needs; and  The Fire Chiefs would prefer a bottom up approach to the dispatch issue versus top down direction.

UBCM: Monday September 23, 9:00 AM Prioritizing Emergency Management Rachel Holmes from the Public Safety Solicitor General Office (PSSG) led a session on the future of the 911 Emergency number. The original 911 was launched in 1976 and now will be decommissioned by 2023. Starting in 2020, a voice capable/ real time text version of 911 will start replacing the old one and promises improved flexibility and resilience. The buzzwords are "speak if you can, text if you can’t.” this new interoperable system will connect cars, ipads, smart phones and just about anything in the internet of things.

Cameron Lewis, the Executive Lead of the province’s Emergency Management Review gave an update on the expanded mandate for the flood and wildfire advisory committee. A New Emergency Program Act is coming for BC. More funding for mitigation and preparedness is being offered by the province and this should help communities deal with their climate adaptation strategies. The next funding intake is October 2019.

BC Flood and Wildfire Review co-chair George Abott spoke of effective partnerships with cattleman and First Nations in controlling wildfires. Controlled burns created fire blocks that saved large parts of the forests that were threatened.

Monday September 23, 1:30 PM Mayor’s Caucus BC mayors discussed the future of taxation and how the property tax model is losing ground against the continued downloading of services. What changes would be deemed appropriate, so that local governments have the right revenue tools for the range of services they now deliver? The pros and cons of Development Cost Charge flexibility, traffic fines, hotel room tax, cannabis and resource taxes were debated along with the potential establishment of an Infrastructure and Community Development Bank.

The second half of the mayor’s caucus dealt with the opioid crisis and the alarming stress it creates for first responders.

Tuesday Septemer 24, 7:30 AM Hydrogen Clinic The focus was on the role of hydrogen in decarbonizing BC’s Energy systems by becoming a zero emission transportation for municipal fleets. Hydrogen has the power to fuel larger trucks and buses. Several hydrogen fuelling stations currently operate in the lower mainland as well as one in Victoria.

Tuesday September 24, 9 AM Small Talk Forum There are many more Small Communities in BC than Mid-Sized or Large Urban. This forum shared the stories of achieving Economic Diversification (Clearwater/Canal Flats) after lumber mill shut downs. McBride incorporated their local Ancient Forest into a tourism strategy and Port McNeil discussed the benefits of forming the North Island Community Forest Limited Partnership. Rising Highway rescue costs were impacting the village of Chase while the Village of Enderby sponsors the Harvest Hut that redistributes vegetables, herbs and other products to those who have need, thus improving food security, reducing waste and creating healthy eating options.

Page 25

Tuesday September 24, 11:40 AM Meeting with Honourable , Minister of Health 10 of the CRD’s 13 mayors met with Health Minister Dix to discuss the growing lack of family doctors in our region. Langford Councillor Denise Blackwell has been urging the implementation of a clinic in the primary care pods in St Anthony’s and is requesting expressions of interest from physicians. Island Health is willing to commit to this build.

Tuesday September 24, 2:20 PM Meeting with the Honourable , Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources In the interests of addressing the Climate Emergency, Council wishes to see access to the BC Hydro power grid for community owned solar energy farms and local government landfills. Our request was that the province consider enacting a regulation, pursuant to the Clean Energy Act, to require a feed-in tariff program. Unfortunately the current government policy to allow the expiration of Electricity Purchase Agreements and suspend the Standing Offer Programs is a major block for those communities looking for the flexibility to exercise their creativity in coming up with zero carbon solutions. Minister Mungall questioned the business case for alternative solutions such as solar and wind power and whether they could compete with the large hydroelectric dams. Councillor Ann Baird and I responded that local governments who wish to mitigate their GHGs and reach their climate targets should have the opportunity to do so in a collaborative and cost effective manner with BC Hydro.

Tuesday September 24, 4:00 PM Municipal Insurance Association AGM Another solid year for the MIA with claims costs and income in balance.

Wednesday September 25, 7:30 AM Convention Finance and Sponsorship Review The review panel answered questions about sponsorships of UBCM by foreign governments

Wednesday September 25, 8:30 AM Convention Opening Session The Convention officially opened with a welcome from Squamish, Tseil-Waututh and Musqueam First Nations Broadcaster Peter Mansbridge regaled the plenary with stories from his lengthy career at the CBC. After the results of the sponsorship review (70% did not support sponsorship by foreign governments), the Principal Policy Session commenced. The following link provides a summary of the resolution decisions: https://www.ubcm.ca/assets/Resolutions~and~Policy/Resolutions/2019%20UBCM%20Resolutions%20Disposition.pdf

Wednesday September 25, 12:00 PM AVICC LUNCH After lunch with Lasqueti Island Regional Director Andrew Fall, I gave a brief update on the Municipal Survivor Climate Challenge to AVICC Attendees

Wednesday September 25, 2:00 PM Honourable Address Minister Robinson announced a Development Approval Process Review providing support to interested local governments undertaking pilot projects. She also announced a $150 million dollar funding intake for water and wastewater projects.

Wednesday September 25, 3:00 PM Reconciliation Town Hall The Honourable , Honourable Scott Fraser, Honourable and Honourable discussed moving forward together with First Nations.

Congratulations to Sooke Mayor Maja Tait as she was acclaimed the new UBCM president.

Thursday September 26, 8:55 AM

Resolution Session continues…

Page 26

Thursday September 26, 3:00 PM Councillor Ann Baird, CAO Loranne Hilton and I met with BC Hydro Reps Janet Fraser and Ted Olynck to discuss the same items as outlined in the meeting with Minister Mungall on Tuesday afternoon. Executive Vice President Janet Fraser leads the team responsible for power acquisitions and contract management at BC Hydro. After listening to our concerns she informed us that the BC Utilities commission sets the price on electricity and that BC Hydro, due to the site C dam, has excess electrical capacity beyond 2030. However, she did mention there was a possibility that other energy entities may be interested in purchasing power if the price was right and that BC Hydro would assess such an outcome on a case by case basis.

Friday September 26th, 8:00 AM The Resolutions Session continues but unfortunately the last 20 or so including Highlands B192- Canada Post’s Neighbourhood Mail never made it to the floor and instead was referred to the UBCM Executive in a decision on what to do with it.

Friday September 26, 11:00 AM Premier Horgan’s Address The Premier stressed togetherness and optimism in bridging political lines and working towards common goals. During the convention, hundreds of logging trucks protested the loss of jobs in the forest industry by honking their horns outside. The Premier said he talked to forestry leaders and told them they need to transform to modern market conditions.

Page 27